Considering the strength of today’s snowstorm, Garner Roofing, your Baltimore roofer, thought this would be a good time to revisit the topic of Ice Dams and roof leaks.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a roofing issue that forms after a significant snowfall.

When the temperature of your roof is above freezing, the snow on your roof begins to melt. However, if the temperature at the roof’s edge is still below freezing, the melted snow can then refreeze at your roof’s edge, creating an ice dam. This prevents water from reaching the gutters. As a result, water collects behind the ice dam and, with nowhere else to go, leaks into your home.

Preventative Maintenance & Roof Repair Tips

Gutter Maintenance: If your gutters are clogged, they cannot direct water away efficiently. This will cause water to collect at the roof’s edge, putting your home at a greater risk of ice damming.

Attic Insulation: If your roof is too warm, it could cause underlying snow to melt, before refreezing once it reaches your roof’s edge, where the temperature is below freezing. To help prevent this, insulate your attic to an R-value in the R-49 to R-60 range.

Garner Roofing: Your Baltimore Roofer: If you notice any signs of a roof leak, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call Garner Roofing, your Baltimore roofer. We specialize in Leak Investigation & Repair.Ourfactory trained and ShingleMaster Certified technicians have the experience and knowledge to diagnose and repair even the most stubborn roof leaks as quickly and cost effectively as possible.

Every year, ice dams cause millions of dollars of damage to homes. Don’t let your home be one of them! Call Garner Roofing at the first sign of trouble.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

In today’s technologically advanced society, more and more homeowners are choosing to take on home improvement tasks they would have outsourced to professionals in the past. Why? Well, nowadays, there is a “How to” video for just about everything on the Internet, from how to fix a leaky pipe to how to replace shingles. However, not every task can be sufficiently completed by watching a 10-minute long how to video. Installing new shingles is one of those tasks.

There are numerous reasons why you should leave your roof replacement to the professionals. These reasons include:

Safety: According to the National Center for Health and Statistics, 890,000 people were rushed to the emergency room for fall-related injuries between 2008 and 2009.

Save Money: Improperly installed shingles can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars in future repairs. When a roof is not installed properly, it cannot shield your home from moisture. This can result in costly roof leaks, water damage, and mold.

Time: Odds are that it will take you much longer to replace your shingles than it would for a professional roofer to complete the task. Do you have the time needed to complete the job the right way?

Training & Experience: Professional roofers have the training and experience to not only replace your roof quickly and efficiently, but also correctly!

Do yourself a favor and call a professional roofer. You will thank us!

Baltimore Roof Replacement from Garner Roofing

Eventually, every roof requires replacing. When the need to replace your roof arises, it is important to choose a contractor you can trust, a contractor like the ones found at Garner Roofing. Our representatives and installers are factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified.

Garner Roofing delivers value by performing professional installation using high quality products at a reasonable price. Quality does not have to cost a fortune!

If you have any questions about Roof Replacement or if you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

Are roof repairs just not enough to keep your roof in working order? If so, a new roof may be your only option. However, the only ways to truly know if your roof needs replacing is to have it professionally inspected. You may be surprised to learn that more than half of the time it is found that a roof does not need replacement.

Maintenance: Asphalt shingles are not only durable, but they require little maintenance.

Weight: Asphalt shingles are extremely lightweight.

Cost: Because asphalt singles are manufactured in bulk, they are typically cheaper than many homeowners expect.

Curb Appeal: Asphalt shingles give your home an instant curb appeal.

How important is Roof Ventilation?

Ventilation is very important! Proper attic ventilation allows a continuous flow of outside air through your attic by balancing air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge) according to specific formula. This is beneficial for many reasons, including:

Prevents Excessive Heat: Too much heat can be a very bad thing for your asphalt shingles. Excessive heat in your attic bakes asphalt shingles and other roof components causing them to age and fail prematurely.

Prevents Excessive Moisture: Excessive moisture can weaken the wood decking that supports your roof. Over time this leads to structural failure.

Warranty Compliance: Proper ventilation is a warranty requirement of all the major shingle manufacturers.

9 out of 10 homes in North America do not have proper attic ventilation. Is your home one of them?

How long will my New Roof Last?

Typically, asphalt roofs last 25 years or more with proper maintenance.

Garner Roofing: Your Source for your next Baltimore Roof Replacement

When the need to replace your roof arises, it is important to choose a contractor you can rely on for good advice and quality workmanship. At Garner Roofing, our representatives and installers are factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified. So why would you call anyone else?

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

Your roof is designed to repel water, keeping you and your possessions nice and dry. Still, over time, even the best roof can develop issues, including damaged flashing, missing shingles, and, unfortunately, roof leaks.

Exterior Warning Signs

Interior Warning Signs

Ceiling Spots

Algae Growth

Missing Granules

Buckling

Rotting

Damaged Flashing

Damaged or Missing Shingles

Sagging Decking

Dark Spots

Moisture

Light Shining through the Decking

If you notice any of the above warning signs of roof leaks, contact your local, Baltimore roofer as quickly as possible. Fixing a small roof leak now is much more cost effective than allowing the little issue to become a major problem.

DIY Roof Repair vs. Professional Roof Repair

Believe it or not, locating a roof leak is not an easy task. More often than not, the location of the water intrusion is not the same location as the leak itself. It takes both knowledge and experience to diagnose roofing issues.

As you can probably imagine, if locating a leak is difficult, repairing a roof leak is no cake walk either. You will more than likely need to call a professional roofer to both locate and fix the leak.

Garner Roofing’sfactory trained and ShingleMaster Certified technicians have the experience and the knowledge to diagnose and repair even the most stubborn roof leaks as quickly and cost effectively as possible.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

The weather has been very erratic over the last few weeks. We have gone from freezing temperatures, ice, and snow, to 60 and even 70 degree weather and sunny skies. This has not exactly been your typical winter weather here in Baltimore, Maryland. Although the ever-fluctuating temperature may not seem like a problem, it has led to the constant freezing, thawing, and refreezing of snow and ice on your roof, which could lead to a serious condition known as ice damming. This is even more of a possibility if your roof has not been properly maintained.

Winter Roof Maintenance Tips: Avoiding Ice Dams

Gutter Maintenance: First and foremost, ensure that your gutters are clear. If they are clogged, water will not be able to properly flow off your roof. This will cause water to collect at the roof’s edge, putting your home at a greater risk of ice damming.

Attic Insulation: If your roof is too hot, it could cause snow to melt, before refreezing at the roof’s edge. To help prevent this, we recommend your attic be insulated to an R-value in the R-49 to R-60 range.

If you are experiencing a roof leak as the result of an ice dam or other roofing problem, give the roof repair specialists at Garner Roofing a call today. We specialize in Leak Investigation & Repair. Our systemized approach to leak investigation and repair has allowed Garner Roofing to maintain a high first call success ratio. Thefactory trained and ShingleMaster Certified technicians at Garner Roofing have the experience and knowledge to diagnose and repair even the most stubborn roof leaks as quickly and cost effectively as possible.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

As a homeowner, you have to be ready for almost anything, from a broken pipe, a kitchen fire, or a damaged roof. Disaster can strike at any time. The trick is to stay one step ahead, removing those factors that could potentially lead to problems, including tree limbs dangling over your roof.

When severe weather hits, high winds or the additional weight of snow often cause tree limbs to snap. If these limbs are above your home, your roof could be in danger. Broken tree limbs are notorious for breaking gutters, tearing away shingles, and damaging roof decking. Because of this, it is important to clear away any tree limbs dangling over your home.

If disaster does strike, you need to call a roofer as soon as possible to fix the damage. The last thing you want is for a small repair to slowly grow into a major repair, requiring more time and money to correct.

Baltimore Roof Repairs from Garner Roofing

When roof damage occurs, it is important to call a roofing contractor you can trust, a roofer like Garner Roofing. We will send one of our factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified roofing technicians to your home to inspect your roof and provide options based on your needs.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

As a roofer, I hear it all the time: “We don’t want to replace our roof right now because it costs too much. We will just wait for a little while.” While this is definitely your right as a homeowner, let me caution you. Putting off an inevitable roof replacement could end up costing you more money in the long run. How?

1. Roof Repairs: While the occasional roof repair is okay, paying for repairs every few months just doesn’t make sense. When roof repairs become more and more frequent, that smaller price tag can quickly add up.

2. Roof Emergencies: Putting off a roof repair could put your roof and your home at risk. Older roofs are prone to larger and more catastrophic failures, which could put a pretty serious dent in your wallet.

3. Energy Efficiency: Are your energy bills inexplicably rising? If so, it could be because your old roof just isn’t energy efficient. A new roof could be the solution to your energy woes, drastically improving the energy efficiency of your home.

Eventually, every roof will need to be replaced. What about yours?If your roof is 15-20 years old and is starting to show its age, you may be the prime candidate for a new roof.

Garner Roofing: Your Baltimore Roofer

If you think it may be time to replace your roof, give Garner Roofing a call. We will send one of our factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified roofers to your home to inspect roof and provide you with an honest assessment of your roofing needs. You may be surprised to learn that more than half of the roofs we inspect do not need replacement. However, if you do need a new roof, don’t panic. We will work with you to make the process as affordable as possible.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

Roof replacements and roof repairs. One sounds scary and the other, not so much. However, you may be surprised to learn that sometimes roof replacements are not only a necessary decision, but also the most beneficial choice you can make as a homeowner.

There will come a time when you seem to be calling your local roofer every month or so to repair a roof leak, some damaged flashing, missing shingles, or some other roofing issue. This may seem like the most cost-effective way to maintain your roof, but these small repair costs add up. Eventually, there will come a time when roof repairs are just not a cost-effective way to maintain your roof. This is when roof replacement becomes not only necessary, but beneficial.

Roof Repairs vs. Roof Replacements

Roof Repair

Cost: Occasional roof repairs are much more economical than a complete roof replacement. However, when these repairs become more and more frequent, you may need to re-evaluate your plan of action.

Time: It is typically much easier and less time consuming to fix a roof issue, like a few missing shingles or a leaky roof, than it would be to completely replace the existing roof.

Put off Roof Replacement: In today’s economy, homeowners are leery to spend thousands of dollars on a new roof. For this reason, roof repairs are much more appealing.

Roof Replacement

Long-term Solution: While roof repairs are nice, a complete roof replacement is a much more long term solution.

Great Investment: Not only do roof replacements have a great return on investment (67%), but a new roof will also increase the resale value of your home.

Increased Energy Efficiency: A new roof could be the solution to your energy woes. Old roofs let warm air escape during the winter and let warm air in during the summer. Your new roof should drastically improve the energy efficiency of your home.

When a roof replacement is your best option, you need to call a roofer you can trust. You need to call Garner Roofing. Our representatives and installers are factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

Over the years, every roof begins to show its age. Still, with a little preventative maintenance and the occasional roof repair, you can easily prolong the life of you roof. Eventually, however, it is an inevitability that your roof will need to be replaced.

So how do you know when your roof needs to be replaced?

10 Signs you need a New Roof

1. Damaged or Missing Shingles: Your shingles are your home’s first layer of protection from the elements. So when these shingles are damaged or missing, it puts your roof and your home at risk.

2. Roof Leak: Roof leaks are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only is there a problem with your roof, but the issue has most likely caused water damage inside your home.

3. Sagging Ceiling: If you notice the ceiling in your home beginning to sag, it is a clear sign of a roof leak.

4. Water Stains: If you notice any wet, dark spots on your roof decking, this is an immediate indicator of a larger problem.

5. Granule Loss: The granules of your asphalt shingles play an important role in the protection of your roof. So when you notice an excessive amount of granules in your gutters, this could be cause for alarm.

9. Drip…Drip…Drip: What’s that noise? If it is dripping and it is coming from above, you should check it out right away. It could very well be an indicator of a leaky roof.

10. Age: If you notice any problems with your roof and it is older than 15 years, roof replacement may be your best option.

Garner Roofing: Your Baltimore Roof Replacement Contractor

Eventually, every roof will need to be replaced. What about yours? Well, you may be surprised to learn that more than half of the roofs we inspect do not need replacement. We can actually repair most roofs, forgoing a complete roof replacement. So before you start to panic, give the roofing experts at Garner Roofing a call. We will send one of our factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified to inspect your roof and provide you with an honest assessment.

If we determine that you do need a new roof, don’t panic. We will help make the process as painless as possible!

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!

Before you pick up that hammer or call your local contractor, remember that not all home improvement projects are created equal. It pays to prioritize your projects, picking and choosing those home improvements that will add value to your home and money in your pocket. So what are some of the best projects in terms of Return on Investment (ROI)?

Roof replacements are a great home improvement project to tackle, with an average return on investment between 60 to 65%. Not only that, but roof replacement also…

Protects your home from the elements. Your old roof may have developed a leak ro two over time. Your new roof will better shield your home and your loved one’s from Mother Nature.

Enhances your home’s curb appeal. In fact, Realtors estimate that as much as 40% of your home’s curb appeal is linked to your roof.

Improves the resale value of your home.

Makes your home easier to sell. Homebuyers look for several things when purchasing a home, including updated kitchens, remodeled bathrooms, and new roofs.

Improves the energy efficiency of your home.

Saves you money. There comes a point when replacing your old roof makes more sense than constantly paying for roof repairs.

Garner Roofing: Your Source for Baltimore Roof Replacements!

If you are interested in investing in your home and replacing your old, worn out roof, give Garner Roofing a call today. We will send one of our factory trained and ShingleMaster Certified representatives to your home to examine your roof. Then, we will provide you with an honest assessment of your roofing needs.

If you are interested in scheduling a free roofing consultation, please contact Garner Roofing by calling 410-753-2322 or visit GarnerRoof.com today! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Hang out with us on Google+!